La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie HISTORY

La Conciergerie in Paris, France is located on an important site which once formed the seat of the city’s Roman leaders during their occupation of Gaul. La Conciergerie itself originally formed part of thirteenth century Palais de Justice, the royal palace built by King Philip IV. It served this role until the 1350’s, when the French royals moved to the Louvre.

As it ceased being used as a royal residence, La Conciergerie became the site where judicial functions were carried out, a purpose which parts of the palace still fulfil today.

From 1391, La Conciergerie’s judicial function took on a different character as it was transformed into a prison. Thus it remained for centuries, playing its sinister role during the French Revolution as the home of the ominous Revolutionary Tribunal which sent thousands of prisoners to the guillotine.

In the course of the Revolution, La Conciergerie held over a thousand prisoners at any given time. Some of the most famous inmates at La Conciergerie included Francois Ravaillac, the assassin of King Henri IV, imprisoned there in 1610, revolutionaries Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre, and, most prominently, Queen Marie Antoinette. Each was then executed.

Visitors to La Conciergerie can enjoy both its impressive medieval architecture, such as its large Hall of the Men at Arms and its history, both royal and as an instrument of punishment. Its original torture chambers can still be viewed.

La Conciergerie TOURIST INFORMATION

DIRECTIONS TO La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie is located along the banks of the River Seine on Paris’s Ile de la Cité. The nearest metro station is Cité (line 4). Other nearby stations include Châtelet (lines 1, 7, 11, 14) and Saint-Michel (line 4). Buses 21, 24, 27, 38, 58, 81 and 85 stop nearby as does Balabus. By RER line B to St Michel or Châtelet or via line C to Saint-Michel.

LOCAL AMENITIES

There are cafes, shops and restaurants nearby.

La Conciergerie OPENING TIMES AND TICKET PRICES

La Conciergerie is open daily, 9:30am-5pm (to 6pm March-Oct). Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Last entry half an hour before closing. Entry costs €7 for adults, €4.50 for non-EU students aged 18-25 and free for under 18s and for EU students under 26. Further concessions available. Combined tickets available with Sainte Chapelle.

CONTACT DETAILS

La Conciergerie ADDRESS

La Conciergerie, 2 boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris

La Conciergerie PHONE NUMBER

+33 01 53 40 60 80

La Conciergerie EMAIL

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Just as empires rise and fall so do entry fees and opening hours! While we work as hard as we can to ensure the information provided here about La Conciergerie is as accurate as possible, the changing nature of certain elements mean we can't absolutely guarantee that these details won't become a thing of the past. If you know of any information on this page that needs updating you can add a comment above or e-mail us.